Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Singapore
Currency:
| Food | - 10% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is 10% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 44 (SGD $17) | SGD $15 | + 14% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 29 (SGD $11) | SGD $9 | + 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 15 (SGD $5.66) | SGD $5.47 | + 4% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (SGD $2.65) | SGD $3.40 | - 22% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 13 (SGD $4.76) | SGD $4.34 | + 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 5.21 (SGD $1.97) | SGD $3.35 | - 41% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 20 (SGD $7) | SGD $13 | - 44% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 8 (SGD $3.06) | SGD $4.82 | - 37% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.00 (SGD $1.52) | SGD $2.84 | - 47% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (SGD $4.99) | SGD $5.04 | - 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 53 (SGD $20) | SGD $31 | - 35% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (SGD $2.92) | SGD $2.72 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.43 (SGD $1.68) | SGD $2.47 | - 32% | |
| Housing | - 16% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 16% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 8,949 (SGD $3,389) | SGD $5,534 | - 39% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 6,490 (SGD $2,458) | SGD $3,336 | - 26% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 632 (SGD $239) | SGD $227 | + 5% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 5,565 (SGD $2,108) | SGD $3,151 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,322 (SGD $1,258) | SGD $2,210 | - 43% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 456 (SGD $173) | SGD $138 | + 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 349 (SGD $132) | SGD $45 | + 192% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 1,377 (SGD $521) | SGD $709 | - 27% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 359 (SGD $136) | SGD $259 | - 48% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 39 (SGD $15) | SGD $12 | + 23% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 36 (SGD $14) | SGD $20 | - 32% | |
| Clothes | + 20% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 20% more expensive than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 232 (SGD $88) | SGD $97 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 214 (SGD $81) | SGD $53 | + 53% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 330 (SGD $125) | SGD $139 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 339 (SGD $129) | SGD $146 | - 12% | |
| Transportation | - 38% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 38% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 90,756 (SGD $34,374) | SGD $129,983 | - 74% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.77 (SGD $1.05) | SGD $2.55 | - 59% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 304 (SGD $115) | SGD $111 | + 4% | |
| Personal Care | + 9% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is 9% more expensive than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 28 (SGD $11) | SGD $14 | - 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 48 (SGD $18) | SGD $19 | - 5% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 290 (SGD $110) | SGD $74 | + 49% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 16 (SGD $6) | SGD $15 | - 58% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 24 (SGD $9) | SGD $8 | + 11% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 23 (SGD $9) | SGD $10 | - 13% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 15 (SGD $5.58) | SGD $3.02 | + 85% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 14 (SGD $5.24) | SGD $3.60 | + 45% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 56 (SGD $21) | SGD $41 | - 49% | |
| Entertainment | + 5% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 5% more expensive than in Singapore | ||||
| United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 (SGD $71) | SGD $60 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 92 (SGD $35) | SGD $27 | + 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 660 (SGD $250) | SGD $77 | + 223% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 (SGD $100) | SGD $88 | + 13% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 81 (SGD $31) | SGD $22 | + 39% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 20 (SGD $8) | SGD $6 | + 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (SGD $17) | SGD $10 | + 63% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,908 (SGD $723) | SGD $840 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.47 (SGD $0.18) | SGD $0.20 | - 12% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 295 (SGD $112) | SGD $142 | - 21% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 18 (SGD $7) | SGD $14 | - 52% | |
| TOTAL | - 18% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 16, 2022.
Exchange rate:
0.37875
SGD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,768 prices entered by 319 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 18% cheaper than in Singapore
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